We have come today to lay Mary Evelyn Chesmore's earthly body to rest. Those of you who knew Mary, know that her spirit has already joined her Heavenly Father. Jesus met Mary at the gates of Heaven on August 8th, at the age of 91. A graveside service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in the Osage Cemetery in Agra, Oklahoma.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, John and Ola Bair; her brothers, Howard and his wife Wilma Bair, and Homer and his wife Dixie Bair; her husband Clifford of 60 years.

She is survived by her children, Dianne Ashment and husband Shelby; Leona Harris and husband Rusty, Laura Chesmore; Eddie Chesmore and his wife Wanda; as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends. Mary was the only daughter of John and Ola Bair and was raised with her brothers in Agra, Oklahoma. She attended The Sooner School, where she rode her paint pony named Fluffy every day. She graduated from High School in 1951. She first met Clifford at age 13 and they later married at the Agra Baptist Church on March 20, 1952. Mary was a homemaker and later worked for several years as a cook at Rosewood Nursing Center in Stillwater. She was also a private Healthcare giver until her retirement.

Mary and Clifford were active members of the Ripley Baptist Church in their early family rearing days hosting many Ice Cream Socials at their home where everyone played badminton and volleyball. One of Mary's joys was cooking for the group of kids at Falls Creek every year. Those who attended knew the blessings and joy received by just being there. As a homemaker, Mary canned every year to provide fruits and vegetables for her family throughout the year. The grandkids were often recruited to snap beans or shuck corn and some of them wondered if it was volunteer or mandatory! Many an evening was spent playing dominoes, cards or wahoo with family and friends.

Mary sewed her whole life. She made many of her own clothes, her children and grandchildren as well as anyone in need. She grew to love making quilts most, and as an excellent seamstress she shared that gift with anyone in need of a quilt or a sewing lesson. Mary and Clifford later attended Tryon Baptist Church where she was one of the founding members of their Sewing Circle that met on Tuesdays to sew, have Bible study and enjoy the fellowship. They were known for providing quilts for newborns at the local hospitals as well as folks who had experienced a fire or tragedy. Many lifelong friends were made at that sewing circle as well as the Cushing Quilters Guild, of which she was a member, helping to make "Quilts of Valor" for Veterans that had served our country. The highlight of the meetings was "Show and Tell" and almost every month Mary had a new quilt to display. Every Holiday, Birthday or Wedding, someone was getting a quilt from her. I'm sure you have all noticed the quilts made by Mary that are displayed here today. SORRY! they are all spoken for already. No one really knows how many quilts she made, but we are sure it is in the hundreds. One of her greatest joys was seeing the expression on the face of the person she gifted with a quilt. It was important to her that they liked the quilt that she had put so many hours of work and love into. Mary was a kind, giving Christian who brought much joy to her family and friends. She will be remembered by many as the grandma that made the best homemade chicken and noodles.

The family would like to thank Luminous Hospice for their care and compassion for Mary, and most especially her good friend Trudy Maxwell.

Thank you all for coming and sharing a part of Mary's life!